Work / Available jobs for Teaching English in Poland? I have no TEFL or CELTA certificate [4]

Hi Kelly,

In a nutshell, without a CELTA, NOT a TEFL cerificate, your chances of finding a teaching job here are pretty slim. As you'll read on numerous threads on PF and on esl cafe it's the only accepted qualification.

For a number of reasons, teaching experience in Asia isn't given much credibility by the better schools here. Some don't even consider it valuable at all because so many "teachers" there have no qualifications.

I don't mean to rain on your parade even more, but as an American you'll have to hustle to apply for residency almost as soon as you arrive in Poland and to get a residency card you'll almost certainly have to have a job or your own company when you apply. BTW, I'm an American who has been teaching in Gdansk for almost six years and I know a little about the process.

Because the US isn't in the EU-thank God-it's very difficult for Americans to find legal work in many countries in Europe. See the threads on eslcafe for specific countries.

If you're really set on teaching English in Poland, come to Poland in the summer, take a CELTA course and start looking for work in late August/early September.

Work / Is it possible to live on 2200zł a month in Poland (teaching position) [13]

I've lived here for six years. You can do it on 2200zl (nett?) if you don't have to pay rent. After rent, I pay 82zl a month for internet and basic cable (UPC), about 20zl for gas and about 120zl for electricity. Heating etc is in my rental p[ayment and I use a mobile. No landline. Who needs one?

I budget about 50zl a day for expenses-food, smokes, beer etc, but obviously some days I pay more, especially when I go to restaaurants.

The answer to your question is what kind of lifestyle do you want to live while you're here.

If you teach English in Poland, you will have an evening job. Probably split ***** which include morning lessons followed by after/evening lessons.

Travel / Taxis from Gdansk airport? [65]

That's a fair price considering the distance.

Life / Bribery and corruption 'fact of life' in Poland? [152]


It does. I'll give you some specifics later.

USA, Canada / This is what I was talking about America [19]

MrAlbert, the link you posted is in direct contradiction of your first post.

Man, you need some serious attitude adjustment.

Life / Showing respect and appreciation by Polish people, forms of greetings in Poland. [31]

I always take slippers to my friends' homes. If they're wearing them, so do I. Guess what. I always end up wearing them, and that's a good thing, especially when my socks have holes in them. :)

USA, Canada / General differences between Poland and the USA? [184]

So, in the 37 years I worked in the US before coming to Poland, how did I manage to work for companies that provided both? Just lucky I guess. :)

Language / Pronunciation difficulties for Poles speaking English [40]


I suggest you meet more Poles. The Polish teachers at my school speak excellent unaccented English, some with American, British or Scottish accents. One of them fooled a British teacher at my school, who, upon meeting Matt, asked him what part of England he was from. He was amazed to learn that Matt was Polish.

It can be done.

Life / Why Polish people are fat ? [81]


The only reason why people in any country are fat is because they eat too much. Ask any doctor/nutritionist and they'll tell you the same thing.

Life / Why Polish people are fat ? [81]


Sadly, not true for the reason stated above. I see far too many overweight kids here.


OK comrade, or should I just say Sieg Heil?

Life / Why Polish people are fat ? [81]

Again, not true



Add Australia to your list of obese people. About two years ago they surpassed the US in the percentage of obese/overweight people.

Life / Why Polish people are fat ? [81]


Blame their mouths, not any particular system. This as lame an excuse to explain the answer to the question the OP asked as any I've ever read.

USA, Canada / Culture Shock.. my Foreign Import's 90 days in US [7]


When you can find them, and there's not a large selection to choose from. Granted, I'm biased as I'm from Southern California and the produce section in most markets there is almost as big as BOMI. Sigh.

Travel / Poles the worst-dressed tourists in the world? [25]


He's not making it up. I see it all the time.

USA, Canada / Would you live in California, USA? [240]


Nice area. I lived in Oceanside and Carlsbad for 25 years before moving to Poland. I loved the place. Great weather, nice beaches, close both to both deserts and mountains. Traffic? I lived and worked in the community so I didn't face long commutes to San Diego on weekdays. Crime? Not much in my area. As is true in any city, avoid the bad areas and you'll be fine. The way to stay out of bar fights is to stay out of bars. It's really that simple.

Politics? You'll have to make your own decision about that. You'll always find something to disagree with no matter where you live.

Earthquakes and forest fires are an integral part of life in Southern California. Earthquake codes are stringent. Since the quake in San Francisco-88 or 89, there's has been relatively little damage done even by major shakers.

In short, if I ever move back to the US, North San Diego County is where I'll go.

Food / Prices of decent Polish Vodka in Poland? [15]

The vodka seems ridiculously overpriced, the Scotch only a little so.

USA, Canada / Polish or American Education? [180]

Balderdash. Complete ignorance of contemporary reality. But that's what I expect from PF these days.

News / Poland to sign FATCA, USA will get information about bank accounts [67]

And it won't be until less than 10% of Poles going to the US quit overstaying their visas. Blame it on your countrymen, not the US. It's that simple.

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

It's paltry, not paultry.

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

So do I. After his repeatedly pedantic, bombastic, insulting and stilted English insults, he has the nerve to blame his egregious :) mistake on a typo. LOL

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

My generation? I'm 66. You're just a little bit too pompous for my taste, but to each his own. Oh, and it was pompous 50 years ago, Jack Paar notwithstanding.

Law / Is there a difference between karta pobytu and Europa card? [15]

Nor did I,and they never found me at home. What a surprise! They finally went to my school while I was teaching and accepted my director's statement that I wasn't a criminal. Oh, if only she knew. :)

I just got my new karta pobytu, my fourth in my 6 1/2 years here. Not once have I had a visit from the police.

Law / I'm interested in opening a small Mexican Restaurant in Poland - looking for information [21]

Make a carne asada burrito, carnitas and huevos racheros, and I'll be a customer for life even though I live in Gdansk. We have Pueblo, a decent Tex-Mex place, but they don't offer any of the above although they serve the best Mexican food I've had in Poland since coming from Southern California 6 1/2 years. Come to think of it, add some fish tacos and good guacamole and you'll rule Poland.

Law / Query concerning long-term Residency Card for non-EU Citizen [4]

I'm also an American who has been here for 6 1/2 years with a karta pobytu valid until October 2015. I'm going to apply for a permanent card soon. As I understand it, I/you need to provide proof of our/your financial ability to live in Poland even if you don't have a work permit or a job. There may be more to it than that-married to a Polish citizen, for example-but I don't think so.My school told me to apply after receiving my current car, which I got last month, so after I file my taxes-PIT 37-I'm going to do jujst that.

Classifieds / Language exchange group, Tricity [60]

I'm still interested. I teach English at a private language school in Gdansk and my only free hours are in the morning on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Old Town locations are best for me as I live and work there.

Classifieds / Language exchange group, Tricity [60]

Tuesday mornings are good for me.

Love / Will I end up with a Polish man? [3]


bizz, it's bear with me. Bare with me has an entirely different meaning. :)

Travel / The best surfing beaches in Poland? [12]

Surfing in Poland? LOL

Food / What's your favorite Polish beer? [870]

Rowing Jack is good, but Atak Chmielu and Imperium Atakuje by the Pinta brewery are much better if you like hoppy beer.

Food / What's your favorite Polish beer? [870]


Since Lamus opened about 3 years ago, it's become my favorite. Great people, great beer and it's only 70 meters from my flat. What's not to like? I've only been to Absinthe twice in the past year.